“I’m fine.”
I wanted to ask a million more questions, give voice to an endless stream of thoughts. Instead, I simply said, “Thank—”
“If you try to thank me one more time, I’m going to tell your boyfriend you’re running away with me to a Greek island.”
My mouth fell open. “You wouldn’t.”
He arched a brow. “You’ve baked me endless amounts of cookies and brownies. Brought me a case of my favorite beer. Offered to drive me to physical therapy. I think you’ve said thank you enough.” He looked out at the water as our friends climbed on Griffin’s boat. “I didn’t even help you. I failed.”
I gripped his good arm. “You almost gave your life for mine. That’s not failure. That’s noble.”
“Didn’t see what was right in front of my face until it was too late.”
I was about to argue when Ford let out a whistle. “Hurry up, Hunt.”
Hunter glanced down at me. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“I’m glad you’re okay, too.” Except I wasn’t so sure he was.
I wound my way down the dock to Brody, who wrapped an arm around me. We waved as the boat drove away, Mia blowing kisses from the back. I leaned into his side, watching our friends leave. “Do you think Hunter is going to be okay?”
“Physical therapy takes time. And so does getting your mind right. He’ll get there.”
“I hope you’re right.” I smiled as the two dogs danced around us. We were still deciding on names, but Mia really wanted us to go with Princess and Giant. Brody was partial to Yahtzee as the name for the little one. “We’re going to have to make sure they know how to swim. Maybe we can get them life jackets.”
Brody’s face scrunched as if he smelled something bad. “I am not putting our dogs in life jackets.”
I grinned up at him. “Our dogs. I like the sound of that.”
“Me, too.” He swept his lips across mine. “How about a few more things being ours?”
“Like what?” I asked, burrowing deeper into Brody’s hold.
He turned so we were facing one another but still close. “Like the house, the gardens, the island. This life.” I sucked in a sharp breath as Brody’s hand slipped into his pocket and retrieved a ring. “There’s no one else I’d want to create a life with. It’s okay if you want to wait—”
“I don’t want to wait.” My words came out in a whoosh. “I’d marry you tomorrow.”
“How about next month?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “There’s nothing I want more than to live this life with you.”
Brody slipped the shining diamond onto my finger. The rose gold band had intricate leaves carved into it. I couldn’t help but stare. “It’s beautiful.”
“I drew the design and had a jeweler in New York make it.”
Tears pooled in my eyes. “I love that I’ll have one of your creations with me always.”
Brody’s roughened palms cupped my face. “Just like I’ll be.”
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PROLOGUE
Piper
PAST
“What do you think?” Jenn spun in front of the skinny mirror on the inside of the closet.
“It’s perfect.” I flicked one of the small little rhinestone buttons in the shape of a flower. It was sophisticated, and the pale pink was beautiful against Jenn’s summer-tanned skin. “I didn’t think there was any way you’d need a sweater while we were here but I should’ve known better.”
“Doesn’t matter that it’s summer; it’s always freezing at night.”
I should’ve remembered. Our families had been making our yearly trip to Anchor Island for as long as I could remember.
“Okay, finishing touches.” Jenn motioned me forward so I stood in front of her. “Look down.”
My gaze caught on the half of a heart around her neck that read: Friends. My fingers sought out my half, rubbing circles on it as Jenn swept something across my eyelids.
“Okay, finished. You can look.” Jenn stepped behind me, her hands on my shoulders. “My bestie is a stunner. Those high school boys won’t know what hit them.”
Facing the mirror, I rolled my eyes. “I just hope no one shoves me into a locker on the first day of class.” The high school we were attending in the fall was so much larger than the middle